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Postgraduate Program in Intelligence Management and Security

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Postgraduate Program in Intelligence Management and Security

The Postgraduate Program in Information Management and Security equips professionals with the skills to understand and respond, objectively and effectively, to the challenges faced by institutions within today’s global framework of security, defense, international cooperation, and intelligence culture.

The program strengthens critical analysis and introduces methodologies for assessing, managing, and making decisions in complex international contexts, requiring an integrated understanding of political, diplomatic, economic, social, and regional dynamics – with particular focus on the emerging risks and challenges of cybersecurity, counterintelligence, artificial intelligence, foresight, and scenario planning.

Applications for this program are open between September 16th and October 31st, 2025. To apply, click here.

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Partner Entities

  • IDN
    Instituto da Defesa Nacional
  • Sirp
    Sistema de Informações da República Portuguesa
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Curricular
Unit		 Program Annual Prize
Value
  • caption text
  • Vagas

    Format

    After Working Hours

  • Media

    Length and ECTS

    2 semesters
    (60 ECTS)

  • Semestres

    Attendance

    Twice a week

  • Lingua2

    Start Date

    February 2026

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Who is it for?

This postgraduate program is aimed at students, graduates, or professionals from any scientific field who wish to acquire skills related to security studies and strategic studies, update their knowledge, or explore new perspectives on the dynamics of the current world and its evolving trends, considering current theories and emerging security themes.

Among the potential target audience for this postgraduate program are individuals with responsibilities in the fields of information and security, particularly in information management. Specifically, members of security forces and services, military personnel, public or private sector managers in information management, decision-making support, and competitive intelligence, as well as professionals from private companies, NGOs, and various sectors of public administration.

Goals

The goal of this program is to train technical staff and managers to:

  • Understand the various stages of the information production cycle;

  • Comprehend and critically analyze the risks, threats, and opportunities arising from today's BANI world (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible);

  • Demonstrate knowledge of intelligence and information gathering, and techniques of data analysis;

  • Communicate complex issues, clearly and effectively;

  • Develop key skills to support decision-making, enhanced by the use of Competitive Intelligence and Business processes;

  • Understand the role of strategic intelligence and the additional challenges posed by cybersecurity, counterintelligence, and Artificial Intelligence, with a focus on foresight.

Study plan

The Study Plan consists of 8 mandatory course units, in a total of 60 ECTS:

Mandatory Course Units

  • Cybersecurity
  • Economic and Competitive Intelligence
  • Globalization and Security Risks
  • Intelligence Services and Political Regimes
  • Methodology and Techniques of Analysis and Prospective
  • Regional Dynamics of Security and Defense
  • Social Network Intelligence
  • Structured Analytic Techniques for Intelligence Analysis
Course Unit
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Academic calendar

Academic Year 2024-2025

12th  Edition - Spring Semester

Classes from February 17th to June 7th, 2025.

Exams

  • 3rd Trimester: from April 7th to 12th, 2025
  • 1st period: from June 9th to July 5th, 2025.
  • 2nd period: from July 7th to 19th, 2025.

Holiday period

  • Easter: from April 14th to 19th, 2025.
Fall Semester

Classes from September 8th to December 20th, 2025.

Exams:

  • 1st trimester: from October 27th to 31st, 2025.
  • 1st period: from January 5th to 31st, 2026.
  • 2nd period: from February 2nd to 14th, 2026.

Holiday Period

  • Christmas: from December 22nd, 2025, to January 3rd, 2026.

Academic Year 2025-2026

13th  Edition - Spring Semester

Classes from February 18th to June 6th, 2026.

Exams

  • 3rd Trimester: from April 13th to 18th, 2026.
  • 1st period: from June 8th to July 4th, 2026.
  • 2nd period: from July 6th to 18th, 2026.

Holiday period

  • Easter: from March 30th to April 4th, 2026.

Length, timetable and exams

Length

The program lasts 2 semesters. The classes will start in February 2026, ending in December of the same year, and run after working hours (after 6:30 p.m.), 2 times a week.

Timetable

See the timetable for the Mandatory Course Units here for the academic year 2025-26.

Exams

See the exams calendar here for the academic year 2024-2025.

Admissions and fees

Application phase

From September 16th to October 31st, 2025 (only for Portuguese speaking applicants).

Entry Requirements

To enter this program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Hold a bachelor's degree in a compatible field (completed by January 2026);
  • Be proficient in Portuguese (spoken and written).

This program is taught in Portuguese.

How to Apply and Selection Process

To apply, you need to access the NOVA IMS' Applications Portal and follow these steps:

  • Fill in the form available in the user area, namely:
    • Personal, academic and professional background;
  • Upload your Curriculum Vitae;
  • Upload your Qualification Certificate - if you do not have the certificate at the time of submitting your application, you can still complete the process, provided that you agree to submit the original certificate at a later stage, when requested by NOVA IMS Services;
  • Although it is not necessary to attach any other documents, the applicant has the option of including other documents that they consider relevant to enrich their application;
  • Choose the program;
  • Present the goals and motivation for applying to the program (limit 1,000 characters, including spaces);
  • Pay the application fee. After this last step, the applicant will receive an email confirming their submitted application.

The selection process is based on the analysis of academic and professional curriculum. The members of the Admissions’ Jury Panel may decide to hold an interview with all or some applicants - face-to-face or videoconference.

Application Fee

The fee of the application is €51. The application can only be considered after the payment of the application fee, within the stipulated period, non-refundable in case of withdrawal or non-admission in the program.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee of this postgraduate program is:

  • € 4.100 for applicants with a nationality from a European Union member country;
  • € 4.900 for applicants of other nationalities.

Tuition fee payment dates

The tuition fee of this postgraduate program can be paid in full or in four installments:

  • Full payment: February 22nd to 28th, 2026.
  • Payment in four installments:
    • 1st February 22nd to 28th, 2026 (25% of tuition fee);
    • 2nd April 25th to 30th, 2026 (25% of tuition fee);
    • 3rd September 25th to 30th, 2026 (25% of tuition fee);
    • 4th November 25th to 30th, 2026 (25% of tuition fee).

Registration fee

After being admitted to the program and upon confirmation of enrollment, the applicant must make a payment of a pre-registration fee (around one week after the admission result announcement), deductible in this postgraduate program's tuition fee, non-refundable in case of withdrawal, with the following value:

  • €1.250 for applicants with a nationality from a European Union member country;
  • €2.500 for applicants of other nationalities, unless their registration fee is provided by an official entity.

Upon registration, students should make the following payments:

  • €35 - for enrollment fee (the value is updated annually);
  • €1.40 - for annual school insurance (the value is updated annually).

Discounts

  • Financial discount: students who choose to pay the tuition fee in a single payment have a 2,5% discount on the payable amount;
  • NOVA IMS’ alumni who have completed a bachelor's, postgraduate, master's, or doctoral degree at NOVA IMS have a 20% discount on tuition fee, cumulative with the financial discount;
  • Companies that finance the program to at least 2 employees, in the same academic year, have a 10% discount on the tuition fee. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts;
  • Companies that finance the program to 3 or more employees, in the same academic year, have a 20% discount on the tuition fee. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts;
  • Members of the Ordem dos Engenheiros – Região Sul, have 15% discount on tuition fees. This discount can be extended to members' spouses and descendants upon presentation of valid documentation. For more information, please contact admissions@novaims.unl.pt. This discount is not cumulative with other financial discounts.
  • 15% discount, not cumulative with other discounts, for employees of:
    • Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
    • Ministry of Internal Affairs;
    • Ministry of National Defence;
    • Ministry of Economy;
    • Ministry of Finance;
    • Ministry of Justice.

Scholarships

The NOVA IMS programs, offer a unique learning experience, combining theory with the application of the best and most innovative teaching practices.

If you are interested in studying at NOVA IMS and want to explore scholarship and award opportunities, this page is your starting point to discover the options available in the different programs.

Know more about it here.

FAQ

Do you have a question? Explore the most frequently asked questions and find the answer here! If you still have unanswered questions, please contact us!

  • Applications

    When can I apply?

    It is only possible to submit the application during its applications phase. The date of the call for applications is available in the Admissions and Fees page of each program. However, you can fill the application form at any time, submitting it when the applications phase starts.

    How can I apply?

    The applications are submitted online, in NOVA IMS’ Applications Portal.

    To submit their application, the applicants must register in the Portal, fill the form, upload your Curriculum Vitae, choose the program and pay the application fee in the Portal. The application process is the same for all the applicants, national or international.

    Which documents are required?

    The only mandatory document during the application process is the Curriculum Vitae (in .doc or .pdf format). The applicant can upload other documents such as diploma or other certificate of their qualifications.

    How do I convert a file to .PDF?

    Here is a list of websites where you can convert files to the pdf format, as a reference:

    Is there an application fee?

    The application fee is €51 in the academic year 2025-2026. The payment of the application fee will be made during the application process in the Applications’ Portal, through bank transfer/ATM reference, MBWay, PayPal or Visa. The application will only be considered successfully submitted after the payment of the application fee, within the stipulated time. It’s non-refundable in case of withdrawal or non-admission in the program.

    Can I apply to more than one program?

    You can apply to a maximum of 2 programs per application phase, by paying the application fee for each program, that is, the application to 1 program equals the payment of 1 application fee, the application to 2 programs equals the payment of 2 application fees.

    I'm a bachelor's degree senior student. Can I apply?

    Yes. If you are a final year student and you graduate until January 2026, you can apply and you must deliver an authenticated copy of your degree certificate or diploma until the beginning of the academic year, until January 2026.

    In the application form, a Tax Identification Number is requested. What is Tax Identification Number? I don’t have one, what should I put in that blank field?

    In Portugal, the Tax Identification Number is required to identify a taxable entity or person, in tax declarations or financial transactions. If you don’t have a Tax ID Number or similar, please put “999999999” in that field of the application form.

    What should I write in the field: “Goals/motivation to apply to this program”?

    In this field, please mention:

    • In which way your background (academic and professional) fits the program;
    • What are your short-term professional goals;
    • What are your expectations with the attendance of this program.

  • Admission

    How does the selection process work?

    The selection process is based on the analysis of the academic and professional curriculum. The members of the Admissions’ Jury Panel may decide to hold an interview with all or some candidates – face-to-face or videoconference).

    In case I am contacted for an interview, can it be held at distance?

    Yes, the interview can be held at distance, preferably by Zoom.

    When will I know the result of the application?

    The result of the application will be known, through email, in the date to be announced in the confirmation of submitted application email and/or by the Admissions’ Jury/Programs Manager.

    I was admitted in the program. What’s the next step?

    In case of admission, the applicant must make the payment of the pre-registration fee (around 1 week after the result announcement), until its deadline, in NOVA IMS’ Applications Portal and upload the diploma or other certificate of his latest qualification (example: Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or PhD).

    Can I attend more than one program by academic year?

    Yes, you may attend two programs per school year, although it’s not recommended. Please pay attention to the fact that there may be overlap of the Mandatory Course Units of each program, as well as the overlap of the exams.

    I was admitted in two programs, but I only intend to attend one. What should I do?

    In case of admission to two programs, the candidate will have to choose, in the Application Portal, the program in which they intend to attend. After choosing the desired program and paying the pre-registration fee, you must select the option "Withdrawal" in the 2nd program in which you do not intend to attend. Thus, your vacancy is available to a candidate on the Waiting List.

    I'm on the Waiting List. Can I still be admitted?

    Since it is possible for candidates to apply for two programs per application phase, there will be cases where the same candidate has been admitted to both programs, but intends to join only one. In these cases and if the limit number of vacancies is not completed, the remaining vacancy will be assigned to a candidate on the Waiting List.

    I intend the invoice for the payment of the application / pre-registration fees.

    The Invoice-Receipt will be available in this Applications’ Portal up to 2 business days after the payment, in the tab "Billing/Treasury".

    I was admitted in the program, but I need visa. What should I do?

    NOVA IMS can issue a document that proves admission in the program, that will be sent to the student and the Embassy. The document will only be issued or provided after the payment of the pre-registration fee. Regardless of issuance the document, the student must contact the Portuguese Embassy or Consulate in their country to get more information.

  • Other Informations

    Is this program taught in Portuguese or English?

    This course is taught in Portuguese.

    Are there scholarships?

    NOVA IMS does not award scholarships. However, you can apply to Universidade Nova de Lisboa’ scholarships and financial support, provided by the university’s Social Welfare Services. You can learn more at https://sas.unl.pt/en/scholarships-2/scholarships_/ or contact them directly to bolsas@unl.pt. We don’t hold information about other scholarships.

    Is it possible to park on campus?

    The students can park their vehicles on campus, if they have the access card. There are several parking areas on campus and near to NOVA IMS. The request for access of vehicles to Campus de Campolide is made through registration or renewal of registration and subsequent payment. To do this, the interested parties should register in the system and select the type of access. Afterwards, they will receive all the data for the payment. It should be noted that the management of parking spaces is the exclusive responsibility of the NOVA’s Rectory. For more information, please visit the webpage https://www.unl.pt/en/nova/parking-campus

    Is there accommodation on campus?

    The Social Welfare Services of Universidade Nova has ties with three student residences (one of them in Campus de Campolide) for Portuguese scholarship student and international students. The capacity of accommodation at school residences is limited. We can’t, in any way, guarantee you a room and we can only put your name on a waiting list, only after confirmation of admission. You will find more information about the residences at https://sas.unl.pt/en/accommodation/.
    In case you are admitted to the program and want accommodation in one of the University’s residences, please contact adnovaims@novaims.unl.pt.

    Can you help me look for accommodation websites?

    Here’s a list of websites, just for reference:


    Does the University offer a Portuguese course for international students?

    Yes, there is a Course of Portuguese as Foreign Language. This course is available in 4 types of classes:

    1. Individual lessons (the student arranges the schedule with the teacher according to their availability);
    2. Semester Group lessons (56 study classes + 8 hours for other activities);
    3. 30 hours intensive course(2 weeks);
    4. Online summer course (month of July).

    If you have any questions about this course, please contact: cursoportugues@fcsh.unl.pt.

Gonçalo Santos
Operations and Security Unit Technician | Public Security Police
Rui Guilherme Silva
BU Business Manager – Software & Cybersecurity | ALSO Portugal
Jorge Oliveira
Operations Services Project Management | Vodafone by CapGemini
Beatriz Silva
Senior Technician | Universidade NOVA de Lisboa
Frederico Colaço
Business Developer | Jobandtalent
Ana Guerreiro
University Lecturer and Researcher in Criminology | Universidade da Maia and Faculdade de Direito da Universidade do Porto
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There's a chapter in my life before and after this postgraduate program. During my time at NOVA IMS I gained new perspectives in the realm of information management and security, deeply influenced by an understanding of the challenges related to globalization, which affect everyone - from states and organizations to regional dynamics and, most importantly, individuals. The subjects covered in this program were instrumental in realizing that each of us plays a vital role. Now, more than ever, it is crucial for us to take action to protect our societies and contribute to the advancement of humanity.

As a student at NOVA IMS, I felt warmly welcomed, surrounded by an incredible environment created by the people who represent the university, including professors, academic services, administration, security, and other essential services, all of which motivated us to pursue our objectives.
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This postgraduate course has been very enriching, providing me not only with contacts, but also with enhanced knowledge about the issues that surround me, and that cross border barriers. Right from the start, I was captivated by the innovative approach and academic excellence of this educational institution. The lecturers, experts in the fields of intelligence, security and international relations, provided an unparalleled learning environment. The integration of practical and current cases in class allowed me to better understand global dynamics. The Cybersecurity UC was fundamental to understanding the security challenges that technologies have brought and to deepening good practices for protecting digital information.
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My choice for this program was primarily aimed at deepening knowledge related to the role of intelligence in strategic decision-making in the areas of security and defense, but the fact that the faculty follows a multidisciplinary theoretical-practical approach opened up horizons for me in a broader spectrum of the business world.
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The Postgraduate Program in Intelligence Management and Security allowed me to acquire new knowledge in the field of intelligence and provided the essential tools and techniques for the decision-making process in the field of criminal action.